In general, common reasons for not being eligible for a Pell Grant include:

• Not being an undergraduate student or having already earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree, as Pell Grants are typically for first-time bachelor's degree seekers. Completing a master's or professional degree usually disqualifies eligibility.
• Not maintaining satisfactory academic progress or not being enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program.
• Not being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Having a Student Aid Index (SAI) or family income that is too high to qualify for need-based aid under current guidelines.
• Being in default on federal student loans or owing a refund on previous federal aid.
• Having reached the lifetime limit of 12 full-time semesters' worth of Pell Grant funding.
• Issues or errors in FAFSA submission that affect eligibility determination.

Eligibility is primarily based on FAFSA data, including income, family size, and other financial factors, as well as enrollment status and citizenship. The FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020 also shapes eligibility criteria using updated income and family size formulas. If one does not qualify for a Pell Grant, it is often due to financial circumstances not meeting the threshold for need-based aid, academic status, or prior degree attainment.